Robert George DeSantis

Robert “Bob” George DeSantis was born March 27, 1938 in Chelsea, Massachusetts the son of the late Joseph Silvio DeSantis and the late Margaret “Ethel” Smith. Although he jokingly referred to himself as “just a poor boy from Chelsea, Massachusetts”, he was truly a rich man in spirit and overflowing with generosity.

Bob was a proud member of the US Airforce where he worked for the NSA from 1954 until 1958. In February of 1958 he met a beautiful young woman at a USO dance. Little did he know at the time that it would be the start of a wonderful 53 years together. On July 12, 1958 he married Virginia Ruth (Ginnie) Strauss.

Bob’s had a successful forty-plus year career in sales and management starting with Sherman Williams, Prudential, and ACI Credit Insurance. He was also very proud of his Italian heritage, travelling to Bonito, Italy in 1999, the birthplace of his grandfather, Angelo Giovanni DeSantis. He was an avid golfer and in his retirement years was known for playing on the course with his two faithful King Charles Cavaliers Piccolo & Bonita. Bob was famous for giving dog treats to every dog on the course as they ran to fence to great him.

Although Bob passed on Friday, May6th, 2011, his loving generosity, kindness to others and sense of humor will be remembered forever by those who loved him most. He is survived by his loving wife Virginia, his son Mark DeSantis and daughter-in-law Jody DeSantis, daughters Donna DeSantis, Cheryl Whiteley and son in-law Michael Whiteley. He had eight grandchildren Angela, Ian, Lauren, Alissa, Caleb, Sophia, Julian and Tristan, and three Great Grandchildren Kaylee, Lillian, and Nicholas. He is preceded in death by his older brother Joseph Albert DeSantis and is survived by a younger brother Henry “Hank” Donald DeSantis and sister-in-law Helen DeSantis.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please contribute to

Gulf State Regional Blood Center (www.giveblood.org)

http://www.giveblood.org/contributions/give-online